Coral in Southwest Jewelry: The Red That Crossed an Ocean

Coral in Southwest Jewelry: The Red That Crossed an Ocean

Coral is the Southwest's great imported stone — Mediterranean red coral, carried along trade routes into a landscape with no ocean, where Navajo and Pueblo lapidaries made it their own. The books document red coral firmly in the Navajo palette[1], and native lapidarists working coral across the region[2].

Coral in the Masters' Hands

The documented roster of coral workers spans every tradition and era: Preston Monongye[3], Alice Quam of the great Zuni cluster tradition[4], Larry Golsh and Duane Maktima[5], Harry H. Begay[6], Vernon C. Haskie[7], and the Long family of Santo Domingo[8]. The record even preserves working detail as fine as Leo Poblano's repairs to pitted coral[9] — the kind of bench-level fact only the books carry.

Reading Coral

Collectors weigh: color (the deep ox-blood reds command the most), whether it's natural or dyed (bamboo coral dyed red is common in modern imports — depth and translucency differ), and the cut. Coral pairs most famously with turquoise — the red-and-blue signature of classic Zuni and Navajo work. See cluster work and the turquoise guide for its usual companions.

A note on accuracy. We strive for accuracy, and this page is continuously updated with new information from the artists, their families, and the community. Corrections welcome.

Sources

  1. Navajo Silver: A Brief History of Navajo Silversmithing, p. 69
  2. Encyclopedia of Native American Jewelry, p. 88
  3. Tanner & Koonce, Ray Manley's Portraits and Turquoise, pp. 77-78
  4. Encyclopedia, p. 196
  5. Encyclopedia, pp. 112, 154
  6. Hougart, Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks (5th ed.), p. 107
  7. Hougart 5e, p. 196
  8. Encyclopedia, p. 144
  9. Encyclopedia, p. 188

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Coral in the Gallery Now

Currently available coral pieces — attribution on each product page.

Desert Blossom: Pink Desert Bracelet — hand-stamped sterling silver Desert Blossom: Pink Desert Bracelet
Desert Blossom: Pink Desert Necklace — hand-stamped sterling silver Desert Blossom: Pink Desert Necklace
Bead Maiden: Desert Rain Turquoise and Coral Necklace — hand-stamped sterling silver Bead Maiden: Desert Rain Turquoise and Coral Necklace
Bead Maiden: Desert Rain Turquoise and Coral Bracelet — hand-stamped sterling silver Bead Maiden: Desert Rain Turquoise and Coral Bracelet
Turquoise, Coral, and Spiny Oyster Beads Necklace — hand-stamped sterling silver Turquoise, Coral, and Spiny Oyster Beads Necklace
Cast Coral Ring — hand-stamped sterling silver Cast Coral Ring
Turquoise and Coral Thunderbird Chip Inlay Ring — hand-stamped sterling silver Turquoise and Coral Thunderbird Chip Inlay Ring
Turquoise & Coral Inlay Earrings — hand-stamped sterling silver Turquoise & Coral Inlay Earrings

See the full Guide: Coral collection →